Cable Car Museum Tours and Activities

Amongst its famous hills and winding streets, the cable cars of San Francisco have become perhaps the most iconic part of the famous city. Though they have a historic feel, the cable cars remain both a draw for visitors and a part of the city’s public transportation today.
The subtle sound of the cables running underneath the tracks is only the first clue as to how this classic transportation system works. The city’s Cable Car Museum goes into greater depth about functionality and history of the cars. You can learn about how and when they were first developed, as well as see three original cars from the 1870s. All of the system’s mechanical parts are on display, from the brake to the grips, as well as a large collection of historic photographs that take you back in time. There’s also the chance to go underground and view a subterranean cable in operation.
Practical Info
Located in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco, you’ll find the Cable Car Museum at the corner of Washington and Mason Streets. It’s open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (or 5 pm from November to March) and is free to visit. Both the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stop at the museum.
Address: 1201 Mason Street, San Francisco, California 94108, USA
Hours: Daily from 10 am - 6 pm (5 pm Nov-Mar)
10 Tours and Activities to Experience Cable Car Museum
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San Francisco Private Sightseeing Tour
4
Make your visit to San Francisco easy by taking this private sightseeing tour that includes round-trip transport in a luxury vehicle of your choice and bridge tolls. See some of the city’s most famous and memorable areas as this tour takes away the stress of maneuvering through the streets and parking in congested areas. Walk down Pier 39, stop for a cannoli in North Beach, see historic cable cars at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, and take photos of the windmills in Golden Gate Park. Whatever you choose to do, it's up to you when and where to stop.
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From
$269.00
per group
From
$269.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
Learn More

San Francisco Scavenger Hunt Adventure
4
So many adventures to have in San Francisco with so few funds. If the pocketbook is feeling a touch light then consider these invigorating smartphone-guided scavenger hunts. The three-hour events force adventurers to solve clues and navigate the city streets; plus all the SF scenery you can absorb during the journey. Pricing is per individual but teams must book together to be in same adventure.
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From
$21.34
Price varies by group size
From
$21.34
Price varies by group size

Private Lucky Tuk Tuk 2 or 3 Hour San Francisco City Tour w/ Your Own Guide
5
See the best of San Francisco on this private tuk-tuk tour with up to six of your guests, and a guide to lead the way. After convenient hotel pickup, you join your guide to hear stories about San Francisco as you're whisked across town. Highlights include cruising through Chinatown and North Beach, admiring the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline, and stopping for photo ops to remember your adventure.
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From
$300.00
per group
From
$300.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Walking Tour of Nob Hill - Cable Cars, Luxury Hotels, French-Gothic Cathedral
1
When Robert Louis Stevenson visited San Francisco in 1879, he declared, "Nob Hill, the Hill of Palaces, must certainly be counted the best part of San Francisco. It is here that millionaires gathered together, vying with each other in display". My Nob Hill tour is a 2-hour walking photo-shoot tour that starts with a Cable Car ride and a visit to a French Gothic Cathedral and ends at the Top of the Mark on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel for photographs and beverages at sunset.
The eclectic history of Nob Hill includes:
* The Gold Rush (not the San Francisco 49r cheerleaders)
* The Silver Bonanza (not including Ben Cartwright, Ben, Hoss or Little Joe)
* The Transcontinental Railroad
* The 1906 Earthquake and Fire, and
* A spectacular French-Gothic design Episcopal Cathedral that took nearly 40 years to build.
The opportunities for photography are endless on Nob Hill!
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From
$175.00
From
$175.00

Private Tour: San Francisco Sightseeing - 3 Hour
3
Explore San Francisco like a VIP on this private sightseeing tour by luxury vehicle. Sit back, relax and admire the landscape of the famously hilly City by the Bay while a chauffeur drives you to top attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Twin Peaks and more. Pickup is available anywhere within San Francisco. Select your vehicle preference when booking, depending on the size of your private group.
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From
$269.95
per group
From
$269.95
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More

Gold Rush to Golden Gate: Self-Guided Tour of San Francisco
3
Professional tour guide and city Insider, Brad Prickett, hosts you on a tour of San Francisco. GPS-activated audio plays automatically on your phone as you learn the colorful history and see the top attractions along San Francisco’s waterfront and across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Drive the tour at your own pace, using your phone as your guide. Learn the history, hear the stories of San Francisco’s founders, scoundrels and visionaries as you visit.
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From
$5.99
per group
$2.00 savings
From
$5.99
per group
$2.00 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Private 90 Minutes North Beach & Chinatown Kickstart Tour with a Local
1
Kickstart your time in San Francisco with a 90-minute introduction of two of its liveliest neighbourhoods with the help of your favorite local. See the main highlights of San Francisco’s North Beach and China Town and discover the best the city has to offer.
On this private tour, you’ll visit the must-see historical spots, but also see hidden places that will give an authentic feeling of the contrasts in these parts of the city. Go to the foodies’ favorite Ferry Building, see where the community gathers at the bustling Washington Square and get set to tackle San Francisco’s steepest street. Hear all about the beat generation’s lifestyle of the 1960s and how San Francisco came to be home to the country’s oldest China Town.
Get insights on the local lifestyle and find out true stories about the city’s history as you take in these two vibrant, full-of-life neighborhoods in San Francisco. Join now and find out more from our local hosts regarding your future stay in San Francisco.
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From
$48.40
Price varies by group size
From
$48.40
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Open Air Private Jeep Tour of San Francisco (Group Pricing)
See the San Francisco sights you want to see, at a pace that suits your group. Choose from 2, 2.5 or 3-hour explorations. And yes, we stop at the Golden Gate Bridge!
Our open-air convertible Jeeps fit 6 guests plus the driver guide. Recommended seating for up to 4 adults and 2 children / teens in the 3rd row seating.
Our 2-hour tour covers most of the city's highlights and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The 2.5-hour tour adds:
A drive down Lombard Street (depending on traffic) and more time in Golden Gate Park or Ocean Beach.
The 3-hour tour adds:
Time for four to five more locations or a meal stop. Stops can include the Mission District Murals, views from Twin Peaks, view from Coit Tower /Telegraph Hill.
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From
$485.00
per group
From
$485.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Tour
Take a self-guided tour of San Francisco that provides lively commentary about the city’s history and landmarks. After booking your tour, simply download the mp3 audio guide and map, then proceed at your own pace. You’ll get great views of monuments including Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf as you tour the city at an affordable price.
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From
$15.90
From
$15.90
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Learn More

Union Square, Nob Hill, and Chinatown Urban Hiking Tour
Discover more of San Francisco on an urban hiking tour in three must-see neighborhoods: Union Square, Nob Hill, and Chinatown. Get a good workout as you take in Nob Hill landmarks such as Grace Cathedral and the Fairmont Hotel, and visit the Cable Car Museum and the Fortune Cookie Factory. Learn about the Gold Rush, the Beat Generation, hippies in the 1960s, and more, before concluding in Union Square.
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From
$54.00
From
$54.00
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